Miniature rose plant/Minaxco

ABSTRACT

The subject of the present disclosure is a new and distinct variety of miniature rose plant characterized by soft lavender-tan color of the double flowers and by the profusion of bloom.

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of hardy, dwarf, bush type rose plant of the miniature class; the variety being primarily characterized--as to novelty--by the soft lavender-tan coloration of the flowers which in general color effect are similar to Lady X (Hybrid Tea variety--U.S. Plant Pat. No. 2,691) on the inside of the petals and Honey 'N Spice (miniature Variety--not patented) on the outside of the petals.

The variety is further characterized by:

The abundance of bloom, with flowers usually borne singly.

Intense fragrant.

A plant which is vigorous, of bushy, upright shape with semi-glossy to matt, small foliage, with pointed leaflets; the buds and flowers being similar in form and size to Amberglo (miniature--not patented), but averaging more petals.

The plant, which has a normal height of 12-14 inches or more, can easily be maintained at lesser height by occasional trimming.

A plant which grows and blooms satisfactorily outdoors; is good for growing in pots; and provides excellent garden decoration as well as cut flowers.

The present variety of miniature rose was originated by me at my nursery located at Dallas, Tex., under conditions of careful control and observation, as a cross between an unnamed seedling (a floribunda--not patented) as the seed parent and Twilight Trail (miniature--U.S. Plant Pat. No. 6,198) as the pollen parent.

Subsequent to origination of the variety I succesfully reproduced it, at my nursery located as aforesaid, by cuttings; the reproduction having run true to all respects.

The color photograph illustrates the variety, including the foliage, bud and flowers.

Referring now specifically to the new and distinct variety of miniature rose plant, the following is a detailed description thereof in outline; all major color plate identifications being by reference to the R.H.S. Colour Chart, except where common terms of color defination are employed.

Type: Hardy; dwarf; bushy; upright; seedling; outdoors; cut flowers; garden decoration; potted plant.

Class: Miniature.

Variety identification.--Minaxco

Commercial synonym.--Smoke Signals.

Flowers borne: Usually signly on slender wirey stems.

Quantity of bloom: Abundant.

Bud:

Peduncle.--Medium to long length; slender but sturdy; erect; medium green, sometimes tinted bronze (outdoors); hairs--few.

Before calyx breaks; size.--Small. Form short; pointed with several foliaceous apendages and few or no tiny hairs on surface of bud; with foliaceous parts extending beyond the tip of the bud equal to one-half or less of its length.

Color.13 Medium green, occasionally tinted with bronze (outdoors).

As calyx breaks, color.--Russet.

Opening.--Opens well in all weather.

Bloom:

Size when fully open.--Small, averaging about 35 to 40 mm (11/2"). Petalage double -- averaging about 35 to 40 petals, arranged regularly plus sometimes several small petaloids.

Form.--High centered, with petals reflexing loosely outward and later at maturity, rolled loosely outward and dowwnard. Open flowers usually show stamens.

Petals: Fairly thick; satiny on inside and on outside surface.

Shape.--Outside petals, broad lanceolate -- almost round; intermediate -- broad lanceolate with slightly pointed tip; inside lanceolate with slightly pointed tip.

Color: Newly opened flower from a plant grown outdoors (October 1988), Dallas, Tex.

Outside petal.--Outside surface -- near and between Greyed Orange 177 C and D and near and between Greyed Orange 173 C and D. Inside surface -- near Red-Purple 69 D to near Purple 76 D to near and between Violet 84 D and Violet 85 D, deepening to near Black 202 D and Grey 201 D with small areas near and between Greyed Orange 177 C and D.

Intermediate petal.--Outside surface -- similar to outside petal.

Inner petal.--Outside surface -- same as intermediate petal; inside surface -- same as intermediate petal. Mature flowers are often tinted pinkish as they age. General color effect; newly opened flowers soft lavender tan. Three days open -- color similar to newly opened flowers but less brilliant. Behavior -- opens well in all weather. Color may become pinkish as flowers age. Flower longevity (October 1988)-- plant in pot 6-8 days or longer. Cut flowers at living room temperature 4-5 days or longer.

Reproductive organs:

Stamens.--About normal.

Filaments.--Varying length, yellowish.

Anthers.--Well formed; yellow.

Polen.--Above average amount.

Pistils.--Average number.

Styles.--Even; medium to short length; bunched; color -- yellowish.

Ovaries.--All enclosed in calyx.

Hips.--Few.

Sepals.--Permanent; spear shaped; recurved downward.

Seed.--Few.

Foliage:

Leaves.--Compound of five (sometimes three or seven) leaflets; fairly small; leathery; semi-glossy to glossy.

Leaflets.--Shape: broad; nearly oval, apex acute; base rounded or rounded acute. Margin serrate. Color: medium to dark green; new growth -- normal (medium) green. Rachis: medium strength: upper side may have a few tiny short prickles or hairs, grooved; underside sparsely thorny with few or no tiny prickles. Stipules: medium long; narrow points which turn out usually at about 45 degrees.

Growth:

Habit.--Dwarf; bushy; upright; much branched.

Growth.--Free Vigorous; internodes short.

Canes.--Medium; slender; sturdy.

Main stems.--Color: medium green.

Thorns.--Few; slender hooked slightly downward, broad oval base; color; tan. Prickles -- none. Hairs -- none.

Branches.--Color: medium green. Thorns: few; medium length; slender; nearly straight, inclined downward. Broad oval base, color: tan. Prickles: none. Hairs: none.

The miniature rose plant and its flowers as herein described may vary in slight detail due to climatic, soil and cultural conditions under which the variety may be grown; the present description being of the variety as grown in Dallas, Tex. 

The following is claimed:
 1. A new and distinct variety of miniature rose plant of hardy, dwarf, bushy, upright, much branched habit, substantially as illustrated and described, characterized by buds and flowers of soft lavender tan color, being of a shade generally near Greyed Orange 177 C and D on the outside surface and near Red-Purple 69 D to near Purple 76 D on inside surface, the bud and flower resembling the variety Amberglo (miniature not patented) in form and size but having a few more petals; and further characterized by a plant of vigorous and compact growth habit, easy to propagate from cuttings, with an abundance of flowers borne usually one to the stem. 